Maximising benefits from the infrastructure boom

The NSW Government has announced it will ensure its record infrastructure investment provides new job opportunities for young people and helps existing workers learn new skills.

Premier Mike Baird, Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance and Minister for Skills John Barilaro have joined trainees working on Sydney Metro Northwest to announce new jobs and training targets for major projects.

“NSW is experiencing a once-in-a-generation infrastructure and jobs boom as we deliver the rail, roads, schools and hospitals our state needs,” Mr Baird said.

“We want to ensure the benefits of our $73 billion infrastructure program extend well beyond the delivery of major projects by helping more workers learn new skills on the job.”

Mr Barilaro said the Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program would help fill skills shortages in the construction industry.

“These firm employment and training targets will allow existing workers to learn new skills and significantly increase the representation of young people, women and indigenous people in the construction industry,” he said.

“This year alone the NSW Government can subsidise 550,000 vocational training places, including in key building, construction and civil courses.”

Mr Constance said Sydney Metro would be the first project to apply the new targets, with others to follow.

“We know how proud our employees are to be part of Australia’s biggest public transport project and I’m delighted Sydney Metro will now be taking a leading role in providing further training for its workforce.”

Minimum targets for major projects include:

20 per cent of the total project labour force to be ‘learning workers’

20 per cent of all trades positions to be apprentices

Double the number of women in trade related work (to two per cent)

1.5 per cent of the total contract value to support Aboriginal participation, and

Eight per cent of the total project workforce aged under 25 years.

The government will also develop strategies to ensure projects employ and train people from the local area. For more information visit www.industry.nsw.gov.au